THERE’S A SCAR DOWN MY FACE THAT’S OWED TO COOKIES.

For me, food has always been about more than just sustenance or flavour —it’s where connections start, where conversations flow, and where memories are made. This belief has been with me since childhood, where my passion for food was ignited in my Czechoslovakian grandmother’s kitchen; watching her create meals that didn’t just fill you up, but made you feel something deeper. That’s where it all started: the belief that food is love. 

Driven by this passion, I started a food blog called The Backyard Cook, a humble space where I could share my recipes, stories, photographs and my love for cooking. What began as a personal project soon blossomed, attracting tens of thousands of followers who shared in my joy for simple, delicious food. It wasn’t long before I was recognised as one of New Zealand’s original food influencers, and a major grocery company invited me to create a Christmas segment—an opportunity that changed everything.

After this, brands came knocking for me to produce their food content for them - just as I had done for myself. So, I quit my day job and started New Zealand’s first content agency 100% dedicated to food. We grew very quickly and today we work with some of NZ’s biggest brands. When we hired, we hired only proven foodies - it didn’t matter if they were in admin or project management, because its our love for food that shines through in the work we create—for us, it’s not just content. It’s an opportunity to share the love, and connect. 

When a business is born out of true passion, it shows in every detail.

Oh, and the large vertical scar down my cheek? We can thank an 8 year old Marty, determined to steal a homemade chocolate chip cookie from a very high cupboard for that.

- MARTY